YORKSHIRE'S acting captain Matthew Wood dashed back to Huddersfield last night from the championship match with Gloucestershire so he could go to his grandmother's funeral this lunchtime.

Batsman Wood, from Emley, then planned to return to Cheltenham early this afternoon. He expected to be leading the side again soon after tea.

Umpires Trevor Jesty and Neil Mallender gave him special permission to travel home.

Because Yorkshire travelled to Cheltenham by team coach, Wood was without transport, but former county colleague Ian Fisher, who now plays for Gloucestershire, arranged for him to drive his father's car.

Yorkshire's director of cricket, Geoff Cope, said: "Matthew initially thought the funeral would be next week.

"When he discovered it was today he was obviously keen to attend, but did not want to let the team down. The umpires did not hesitate in letting him leave."